IND VS ZIM T20I

Right then, that's all from what turned out to be a lopsided affair. After a shock defeat in the opening game, India were expected to bounce back, and they did so clinically to bring the five-match series on level terms. The teams will have a couple of days' rest now, and the third T20I will take place on Wednesday, 10th July, with the first ball to be bowled at 4.30 pm IST (11 am GMT). As always, our build-up will begin much sooner. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

The skipper of India, Shubman Gill says that he is happy to get the win. States that it was not easy to bat in the Powerplay with the ball doing a bit and lauds the way Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma compiled their innings. Shares that they are a young side and in the first game, it was more about not being able to handle the pressure. Adds that it was good to be put under pressure in the first game and they knew what to expect in this game. Hopes that the batters keep firing.

Abhishek Sharma is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his scintillating maiden century. He begins by saying that he is delighted. Says it was not a great outing with the bat in the first match, and not only for him but also for the team as a whole. Adds that he just wanted to express himself and felt like it was his day the way he was striking the ball from the get-go. He says after his catch was dropped, he thought it was his day and he took the charge. Also appreciates Ruturaj Gaikwad and says that he helped him in keeping his perspective. Further adds that he believes in his hitting ability. Mentions that momentum plays a crucial role in T20 cricket. And also says if it is in the arc, he believes he needs to get it over the fence regardless.

The captain of Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza says that the World Champions played like World Champions in this game. Feels that dropping catches hurt them and need to get better in that facet of the game. Tells that he expected 200 on this wicket and the surface did not change much in the second inning. Reckons that they gave away 20-30 runs too many. He says that it would have been a different story had they had wickets in hand after the Powerplay. Mentions that he is happy with the way the batters came out firing but feels that the top order is not as consistent as they should be. Lauds Blessing Muzarabani for the way he bowled and tells that he has grown leaps and bounds.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Ravi Bishnoi is up for a flash interview. He says it was a disappointing outing in the first game, but they made a great comeback in this match. Says he is very delighted with the way he is bowling and is happy to contribute to the team's win. He says there was no real turn in the pitch but the ball skidded through quickly which made the batters hurry into their shots. On being asked about the T20 World Cup victory, Bishnoi says that the celebrations are still on, and rightly so. Says it has been a long wait and they will keep celebrating for a long time.

Earlier in the game, the toss went India's way and Shubman Gill had no hesitation in opting to bat first. Zimbabwe struck early again through Blessing Muzarabani, removing the Indian skipper. However, Abhishek Sharma immediately made his intentions clear and shifted gears as his innings progressed. Ruturaj Gaikwad struggled initially, but Abhishek's aggressive stroke play allowed Gaikwad to settle into his innings. Dropped when he was on 27, Abhishek made Zimbabwe pay dearly for that error by scoring his maiden international ton. After Sharma fell, Ruturaj joined hands with Rinku Singh to ensure a strong finish for India. India scored 160 off their last 10 overs to finish with a commanding total of 234. For Zimbabwe, Tendai Chatara and Blessing Muzarabani bowled tidy spells upfront but the former took a beating towards the end.

As for Zimbabwe, after the high of their famous win in the series opener, they have been humbled by India in this game. With their backs against the wall at the halfway mark, a good Powerplay was crucial to their fortunes in the chase. Despite the early setback, Brian Bennett did not shy away from playing his shots. However, his aggressive approach soon led to his downfall. Sikandar Raza was bounced out, and the hosts could never really recover from losing 4 wickets in the Powerplay. Wessly Madhevere struggled to get going, and with wickets falling around him, it became even more difficult for him to get out of the rut. Madhevere and Luke Jongwe displayed stiff resistance, but the writing was on the wall inside the Powerplay, and the hosts were eventually bowled out for 104.

An emphatic win for India to draw level in the series! A dominant effort with both bat and ball sees the Men in Blue secure a victory by 100 runs, the joint-highest margin of victory in terms of runs against Zimbabwe in Men's T20Is, with Australia being the other team to win by the same margin. Having finished well with the bat, India were able to take momentum into their bowling effort. The visitors were able to take the wind out of Zimbawbwe's sails thanks to two wickets apiece by Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan inside the first four overs. Just like the first game, Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar dominated the middle phase and never really let Zimbabwe off the hook. Brought back into the attack, Mukesh and Avesh answered the skipper's call and performed the cleanup job.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! India win by 100 runs and level the series by 1-1. Total dominance out there in the field in all three domains by the Men in Blue. Mukesh Kumar pins in a fuller-length delivery outside off, Luke Jongwe opens the face of the bat but slices it uppishly, flat, and straight down the throat of Ruturaj Gaikwad at deep third. A strong comeback from India after a dismal performance in the series opener. Hugs and handshakes around with delighted Indian faces.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! India win by 100 runs and level the series by 1-1. Total dominance out there in the field in all three domains by the Men in Blue. Mukesh Kumar pins in a fuller-length delivery outside off, Luke Jongwe opens the face of the bat but slices it uppishly, flat, and straight down the throat of Ruturaj Gaikwad at deep third. A strong comeback from India after a dismal performance in the series opener. Hugs and handshakes around with delighted Indian faces.

Bowls it on a length, outside the off stump. Jongwe reaches for it and slashes to deep point for a couple of runs.

NO BALL AND FOUR! A high full toss on the bodyline, Luke Jongwe stands upright and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. Free Hit to follow.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! Firmly driven down the ground Misses the yorker and serves a low full toss on the stumps, Luke Jongwe spanks it down the ground. Mukesh Kumar does get his fingertips at it but deflects it behind him. Abhishek Sharma there runs to his left from long on but is a bit casual in his approach to make the stop and the ball breaches the fence.

Mukesh comes back into the attack, and bowls on a fullish length and outside off, Luke Jongwe clears his front foot and swings hard at it but only meets thin air.

Another half-tracker on off, Tendai Chatara goes to ramp it away but misses.

Over the stumps bowls does Avesh, bangs a short one again outside off, Tendai Chatara swooshes at it but misses.